Gombe receives multi million Naira relief materials from FG

The Nigerian government has donated relief materials worth millions of Naira to displaced persons from Adamawa Borno and Yobe and States, now based in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
Presenting the materials in Gombe to the state government, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Sidi, said the materials were to support the state government in taking care of the survivors of the crisis from her neighbouring states.
Sani-Sidi said the displaced persons were in need of such help hence, the Federal Government’s decision to compliment the efforts of the Gombe State Government that has been hosting the refugees from neighbouring states where terrorists’ activities were persistent.
“Our mission in Gombe is to officially hand over the Federal Government’s support and assistance for the displaced persons that are flocking into Gombe as a result of the as a result of the security challenges in Borno Yobe and Adamawa States,” he said.
He thanked the state government for agreeing to host NEMA’s Operational Office for the Nort-East zone.
He said the choice of Gombe was easy due to the peace been enjoyed in the state.
Sani-Sidi added: “We realized because of the frequency and intensity of disasters, we decided that we should bring our operations closer to the people.
“Our decision to site the operational office for the North-East in Gombe is a clear testimony to the fact that there has been sustainable peace, progress and development in Gombe State.”
The NEMA Director General disclosed that last years’s flood was devastating, amounting to a loss of N2.6 trillion.
He revealed: “The flood devastation that affected 23 states led to the destruction of over 564,000 houses, over seven million people were displaced and about 363 deaths were recorded.
“From the post disaster need assessment that was carried out by theWorld Bank, in collaboration with the EU and UN system in Nigeria, the estimated loss was put at N2.6 trillion.”
The NEMA Director General therefore advised Nigerians living in vulnerable communities to relocate to higher grounds.
He said: “Intensive care ambulances, excavators among other equipment have been deployed to Gombe in readiness for this year’s flood and other disasters that may occur.”
Responding, the Gombe State Governor, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo, appreciated the Federal Government’s support but requested for more for the refugees from corporate organizations and the well to do in the society.
Dankwambo thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for promptly responding to the needs of the displaced persons.
He said: “I thank Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
“He has demonstrated to us that he is a very good leader who listens to yearnings of his people.
“He has also confirmed his love for the good people of Gombe State.
“We also love him and we will continue to love him.”
Dankwambo assured Sani-Sidi that the relief materials would be distributed to those they were meant for.
The relief materials presented comprised of food stuff, beddings and household utensils.